Blepharitis and the Causes of Dry Eye Syndrome
While the symptoms of dry eye syndrome often involve burning, itchy, dry eyes...it can be any number of issues that might be causing the syndrome itself. Sometimes the cause can be environmental — exposure to dry or dusty environments over long periods of time, for example, can ultimately cause chronic dry eyes.
Other issues, like blepharitis, can also cause dry eye syndrome by interfering with tear production. Blepharitis involves the inflammation of the eyelids, and is caused by the inflammation of the miniscule oil glands that can be found on the insides of your eyelids. These glands, known as the Meibomian glands, are important for the production of oils that make up your tears.
When these glands are functioning properly, the result can be tears which don’t contain the right components, causing them to evaporate too quickly, or improperly clean and lubricate your eyes. As a result, you might be experiencing chronically dry, itchy, or insufficiently moisturized eyes.
